Play Planet

 My favorite thing to do is watch my kids run around somewhere and having fun. It brings me indescribable joy, for real. Taking them to a new place to explore is great, but just watching them run around the park on a random warm, winter day will do it, too. We recently visited Play Planet in Parkersburg, which is a huge indoor playground, similar to the ones at Burger King and The Center for Children and Families, only way bigger. I mentioned it to Quinn one day, and I wasn't sure he would want to go. He has told me he's too big for Playgroup (although, he has since changed his mind), so it seemed like it could be a bust. He insisted he wanted to check it out, though, so we made the trip. I'm glad we did because they ran around and played for over two and a half hours! Quinn seemed content to explore on his own, but Ash's separation anxiety got him upset when he couldn't keep up with Quinn. Quinn was pretty good about including him after I made him aware, and I was proud of him for that. He is a very good big brother...most of the time. 

Well worth the $12/kid!

Ash's developmental leap has him clinging to me and feeling emotions much more intensely. I'm struggling with his constant need to question my every move, especially because, more often than not, I tell him where I'm going. "Hey Ash, I'm going upstairs for a minute, okay?" "Okay." Two minutes later, as he comes up the stairs, "Mom? Are you up here?" "Yes. Just like I told you I would be." Ugh. I think it has a lot to do with his growing imagination. He often tells me about dreams he has involving "bad guys," and he even cried when we went to get into the car to go to school this week, which he hasn't done since the first week. He usually loves going to school. We talked it out, though, and he was fine by the time we got there. He just made me promise to be the first there for pickup, which I did. 

Quinn doesn't struggle with that anymore, but he just typically doesn't like going anywhere. At least not until we get there. I saw a meme that describes him perfectly: 

"Don't invite me places. I was born by caesarean. I didn't want to come out then and I certainly don't want to now."